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Description

St. Michael's Monastery, founded in 1993, is set on approximately 15 acres located amidst the high desert foothills of the Jemez Mountains in northwestern New Mexico; in October 2009, the community, previously a skete, was designated a monastery. The monastery is blessed with a year-round natural spring that originates on the property, as well as a large stream that crosses the monastery grounds. It is also at some distance from major population centers, which is beneficial to a monastic community.

Community life

The life of St. Michael's Monastery is centered around the daily cycle of services that are conducted in St. Michael the Archangel Monastic Church, consecrated on August 30, 2003. The main work of this monastic community is one of prayer and repentance; however, the brotherhood makes a living by providing hand-dipped pure beeswax candles to a number of churches. The monastery also has a guesthouse, the Holy Archangels House of Ascent, and is available for visitors who call in advance.

Facilities

The monastery facilities presently are limited. St. Michael the Archangel Monastic Church is the center of the daily services. A small farm house is the main monastic building that houses cooking and eating facilities as well as the monastery office and provides a work place for making candles. A "monk's row" of three cells is also in use in an area restricted to lay people. The construction of more cells is planned, as well as construction of a monastery trapeza. In 2008, development is planned of a cemetery that will offer burial to both members of the brotherhood and laymen; further, in 2009, the monastery embarked on an expansion of its facilities with a new dormitory for future monks and long-term guests.

Contact information

The daily cycle of services and other duties require frequent absences from the office. The brotherhood is pleased to hear from inquirers, but asks patience if not readily available. All correspondence should be directed to the monastery, unless it concerns the guesthouse, in which case it should be directed to Hieromonk John.